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Microsoft SharePoint and Dynamics CRM -- Better Together: Part 6

Using Both Microsoft Dynamics CRM and SharePoint

By integrating SharePoint with Microsoft Dynamics CRM, you can easily add this extensive functionality to your solution. Dynamics CRM 2015 includes built-in integration with SharePoint so you can show related documents within a Dynamics CRM form. Dynamics CRM supports integration with SharePoint Server 2010, SharePoint Server 2013, and SharePoint Server Online.
An article in MSDN illustrates the integration options: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg334768.aspx 
SharePoint integration enables you to store and manage documents on SharePoint in the context of a Microsoft Dynamics CRM record, and use the SharePoint document management abilities in Microsoft Dynamics CRM, such as checking the document in and out, viewing version history, and changing document properties. 

Because both SharePoint and Dynamics CRM are available deployed in the cloud or on premise, there are several permutations of how you can handle authentication and integration. 

You can integrate with SharePoint in two basic ways:
  • Client-to-server integration with SharePoint: This uses the Microsoft Dynamics CRM List Component in the sandboxed environment of SharePoint.  Client-to server integration is supported for both online and on-premises versions of CRM and SharePoint.
  • Server-to-server integration with SharePoint (CRM Online only): This does not require you to install the Microsoft Dynamics CRM List Component in the sandboxed environment of SharePoint or any other additional software to have the SharePoint document management functionality within CRM. After you enable server-based SharePoint integration for your organization, you can’t revert to the client-based authentication method. Server-based integration is supported for SharePoint Online, and SharePoint on-premises only if you have Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online 2015 Update 1.


You can automate many functions such as creation of document libraries triggered by events in Dynamics CRM.  For instance, when an opportunity moves to the stage when a proposal is prepared, you could create folders for the solicitation as well as the proposal, and associate them with the opportunity.    You might also want to use standard document templates to populate the folders.  

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